Dear Netfah,
Forgive me for asking such a silly question, but I received on of those ‘no sew’ fleece throws for Christmas and I am really excited about creating a few for friends and family this winter but I am somewhat of a novice and am finding it challenging to decide which kind of fleece is the right kind to use. I went on line to purchase some for my project and was overwhelmed at the selection. At any rate, I wanted to know what the difference between polar fleece, winter fleece, poly-fleece, and micro-fleece really is, and which is better suited for the throws? Your input would be really helpful in guiding my decision. Thank you. -Too Many Choices, Boise ID
Dear Too Many Choices,
Don’t feel silly. With so many different manufacturers and advancements in the fabric textile industry, it’s hard to keep up with the names and it can often times be quite confusing. In reference to the fleece you are interested in for your project, the best kind to look for would be a heavyweight polyester polar fleece. As opposed to the natural fleece derived from sheep’s wool, synthetic poly fleece is softer, easier to care for, and much less expensive. Plus it is recycled from plastic bottles, making it a ‘green’ eco-friendly material. In regards to your question surrounding the variations between the four, hopefully my synopsis will make your shopping a little easier. There are three main weight categories of fleece which can be used for a throw, depending on how warm a blanket you desire. Micro-fleeces are the lightest and are best suited for the spring season. Medium weight fleece is the next in weight and is used to make a lot of outerwear and accessories geared for fall weather. It is similar to the weight of sweat pants. The heaviest fleece is called winter or polar fleece. Like most fleeces, polar fleece has an excellent weight-to-insulation ratio making it not only lightweight, but very warm. The material itself is created to pull away moisture yet retain body heat and dryness. And speaking of dryness, a good polyester fleece will be water resistant, so look for that quality when comparing if making throws geared to weather the elements of nature.
Check out our selection of fun novelty fleece here!
Check out our selection of colorful college fleece here!
Posts by J&O Fabrics Store
